Fears of flooding behind Guildford riverside flats rejection

Councillors have rejected plans to build flats along the River Wey with flood fears raised by officials

A CGI image of a proposed development for 34 new flats in Walnut Tree Close, Guildford

Plans to build 29 flats along the River Wey in the town have been rejected over fears of flooding.

The applicant behind the scheme, Doug Clare, told borough councillors on Wednesday that not only would the development in Walnut Tree Close have aided the housing shortfall – it would have also helped to protect the green belt.

The plans included demolishing the buildings at 77 to 83 Walnut Tree Close and replacing them with 10 one-bedroom homes, 15 two-bedroom and four three-bed flats, along with 431 square metres of office space.

A majority of those responding to the plans had been in support but the National Trust was one authority to raise concerns, saying the flats could be both harmful to the conservation area and the River Wey corridor due to excessive height and its proximity to the river.

Planning officer Kelly Jethwa said the applicant needed to demonstrate that all other suitable sites with a lower flood risk had been considered and this had not been done. Therefore she recommended that the scheme should be refused.

“This area suffers a flood event at one in every 20 years,” she said. “Therefore it has a very high risk.”

Ms Jethwa also stated that the Environment Agency had objected to the flats, as the flood evacuation plan did not show a safe access route.

Speaking at the council’s planning committee meeting on Wednesday, Mr Clare said: “I am one of two Guildford residents who have owned this site for 10 years.

“The site is included in the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment and the 2014 Guildford Town Centre vision document for mixed use residential and commercial development.

“The Walnut Tree Close area is being earmarked for residential development.

“Guildford has a five-year shortfall and this existing brownfield site is available for development, which will help protect the green belt.”

Councillor Caroline Reeves, ward member for Friary and St Nicolas, said: “We have all heard the advice being given repeatedly that Walnut Tree Close is the place to build housing.

“We aren’t disagreeing with the principle of that. Houses built on that site must be appropriate. This site, as we have heard, is on the flood plain. I also have concerns on this application about the lack of amenity space.

“Government legislation says any residential property built after 2009 on a flood plain is not entitled to any compensation. We all know what it was like last Christmas and new year. I spent a lot of time in Walnut Tree Close. Residents are still trying to get over the fact their homes were so seriously flooded.

“We cannot approve the application when the Environment Agency has so clearly said it does not support it. We would be opening up residents to the possibility of flooding and not getting any compensation.”

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She has been editorial director of the online and print titles in Surrey and north-east Hampshire since 2007. Marnie previously worked at the BBC as a producer for 5 Live, having moved to national radio from BBC Sussex and Surrey.